Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 16
Paraśurāma, Kārtavīryārjuna, and the Kāmadhenu Offense
with Lunar-line Genealogy to Gādhi and Jamadagni
श्रीराजोवाच किं तदंहो भगवतो राजन्यैरजितात्मभि: । कृतं येन कुलं नष्टं क्षत्रियाणामभीक्ष्णश: ॥ १६ ॥
śrī-rājovāca kiṁ tad aṁho bhagavato rājanyair ajitātmabhiḥ kṛtaṁ yena kulaṁ naṣṭaṁ kṣatriyāṇām abhīkṣṇaśaḥ
Nagtanong si Haring Parīkṣit: “O pinakadakilang muni, anong pagkakasala ang ginawa ng mga rajanya na hindi napigil ang mga pandama laban kay Bhagavān Paraśurāma, ang pagkakatawang-tao ng Kataas-taasang Panginoon, kaya’t paulit-ulit na nilipol ang angkan ng mga kṣatriya?”
FAQs
This verse highlights that when rulers remain ajitātmā—unable to control the mind and senses—their actions become sinful and lead to repeated destruction of their dynasties.
Hearing the genealogies and the repeated devastation of warrior lines, Parīkṣit asks the sage to identify the specific offense and moral cause behind that recurring destruction.
The verse implies that power without self-mastery leads to ruin; practicing restraint, ethical leadership, and spiritual discipline prevents harm to oneself and one’s community.